How to completely remove branded Xiaomi apps: 5 proven ways

Why are there so many unnecessary apps in Xiaomi and can they be safely removed?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are famous for their rich functionality, but not all users are happy with the abundance of pre-installed applications. Branded services like Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps or Mi Pay take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and sometimes even collect user data. According to a study by AppCensus 2023, up to 15% of system resources on Xiaomi devices can be spent on the work of proprietary applications that the user never knowingly launched.

The removal of these applications is complicated by the fact that some of them are integrated into the system at the firmware level. Mistakes can lead to MIUI failures, loss of functionality (for example, the disappearance of quick settings panels), or even to the device’s “brick”, but there are safe ways to get rid of unnecessary software – both without obtaining root rights and using them for power users.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 What applications can be removed without risk to the system (list for MIUI 12-14)
• 🛠️ 5 removal methods – from simple to advanced (including ADB and Debloater)
• ⚠️ What apps are absolutely not to be removed (and why)
• 🔄 How to return a remote application if something goes wrong

List of secure Xiaomi apps removal (MIUI 12-14)

Before you start removing, it is important to understand which apps are non-systemic and uninstallation will not affect the stability of the smartphone. Below is an updated list for MIUI 12, 13 and 14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions).

⚠️ Attention: Applications with packet names starting with com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.miui. (except as listed above) generally cannot be removed. These are system components responsible for interface, communication, or hardware functions.

• 🚫 com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (remove – lose access to privacy settings)
• 🚫 com.miui.gallery - gallery (may cause errors when opening photos through other applications)
• 🚫 com.android.settings – system settings (remove – the device will become unusable)

Method 1: Disable applications through settings (without deleting)

If you don't want to risk system stability, but you want to get rid of the intrusive notifications and background activity of branded apps, you can just turn them off. This method doesn't delete application files, but it does inactive and hides them from the menu. It's suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Show all applications.
3. Find an unnecessary app (such as Mi Browser) and tap it.
4. Click the Disable button (confirmation may be required).

🔹 Pros of the method:

• ✅ Secure – does not affect system files
• ✅ Backwards – the application can be turned on again at any time
• ✅ Suitable for beginners

🔸 Cons:

• ❌ The application remains in the device memory (takes up space)
• ❌ Some processes may continue to work in the background (e.g. GetApps is sometimes activated when connected to Wi-Fi)

💡

To hide disabled apps from the list in the All Apps menu, use a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which allows you to filter the displayed icons.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

A more radical but still safe way is to uninstall apps via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires a smartphone to be connected to a computer, but does not require super-user rights (root), which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13 and others on MIUI 12-14.

📌 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website)

Step-by-step:

1. Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to unlock Developer Settings. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging and confirm permission.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC: Use the USB- cable and select File Transfer Mode (MTP). On your computer, open the command prompt (cmd for Windows) or the terminal (for macOS/Linux).

Check the connection:

adb devices

If you don't, install Xiaomi or Google USB Driver drivers.

Remove the unnecessary app:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name packet

For example, to remove the Mi Browser:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

1. Download ADB from the official website (platform-tools)

2. Unpack the archive in the root of the C:\ disk (so that the path is short)

3. Enable debugging over USB on your smartphone

4. Connect the phone to the PC with the original cable

5. Check the connection with the adb device command

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⚠️ Warning: The pm uninstall command with the --user 0 flag deletes the application only for the current user (without affecting system files). If you use adb shell pm uninstall -k (without --user 0), the application will be removed completely, which can lead to crashes! It is also not recommended to remove more 3-4 applications in one session - it is better to do this in stages, checking the stability of the system.

Method 3: Using Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools

For those who do not want to manually enter commands ADB, there is a convenient utility with a graphical interface - Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools. It automates the process of removing unnecessary applications and reduces the risk of errors. The program is compatible with all Xiaomi devices based on MIUI and HyperOS (new firmware 2026 of the year).

🔧 How to use it:

1. Download the utility from the official repository on GitHub (link: Szaki/XiaomiADBFastbootTools).
2. Install and run the program.
3. Connect your smartphone to a PC with USB debugging enabled (as in Method 2).
4. In the main window, select Uninstall system apps.
5. Check the apps you want to remove (the program only shows safe packets to remove).
6. Press Uninstall selected and wait for the process to complete.

📊 Advantages of Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools:

• 🎯 Intuitive interface (no need to memorize commands)
• 🔍 Automatic Device Model and Version Determination MIUI
• 🛡️ Built-in protection against removal of critical system applications
• 🔄 Remote Application Recovery (Reinstall)

⚠️ Warning: Do not use similar utilities from unknown developers - some of them may contain malicious code or suggest removing system components, which will lead to the inoperability of the smartphone. Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools is the only proven open source program.

💡

Using graphics utilities like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools reduces the risk of errors when removing applications, but still requires enabled debugging over USB and accuracy when selecting packages.

Method 4: Delete with Debloater Applications (for power users)

If you don't want to connect your smartphone to your computer, you can use special Debloater apps that run directly on your device, which allow you to remove system applications without ADB, but require root rights or at least an unlocked bootloader, suitable for advanced users who are ready for possible risks.

📲 Popular Debloater apps:

• 🔹 Universal Android Debloater (UAD) – works via ADB but with a user-friendly interface on a smartphone
• 🔹 App Inspector – shows all packets installed and allows you to remove them (requires root)
• 🔹 Package Disabler Pro+ – disables applications without deletion (alternative to standard shutdown)

🛠️ Instructions for Universal Android Debloater (UAD):

1. Download UAD from the official website or via F-Droid.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate debugging via USB.
3. Run UAD on your computer – the program will automatically determine the connected device.
4. In the interface, select the Blocklists tab and download the list of secure to remove apps for Xiaomi.
5. Mark unnecessary packages and click Apply.

⚠️ Attention: When using Debloater applications without root rights, deletion is only for the current user (as is the case with ADB). However, some programs (such as App Inspector) allow the complete erasure of system files when root is available, which can lead to:

• 🚨 Loss of functionality (e.g., missing notification panels)
• 🚨 Update errors MIUI via OTA
• 🚨 Unable to use certain features (e.g. Mi Share or Quick Ball)

Method 5: Removal via TWRP (for hardwired devices only)

The most radical method is to remove system applications through the custom TWRP recap. This method is only suitable for users who:

• 🔓 Already unlocked bootloader on Xiaomi
• 📱 Installed TWRP Recovery
• 🛡️ Ready for possible risks (up to device breeze)

⚙️ Step-by-step instruction:

1. Download and install TWRP for your Xiaomi model (instructions are available on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum).
2. Download the smartphone to Recovery mode (usually by clamping Power + Volume up).
3. In TWRP, select Advanced → File Manager.
4. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (depending on the location of the unwanted application).
5. Find a folder with the name of the package (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer) and delete it.
6. Reset the device.

🔴 Risks of the method:

• 💥 Possibility to damage system files and get a brick
• 🔄 Loss of ability to update via OTA (you have to stitch manually)
• 🔒 Warranty breach (if bootloader was unblocked)

✅ Pluses:

• 🧹 Complete removal of applications (including updates)
• 🔧 Ability to fine-tune the system (e.g., remove DM-Verity to install custom firmware)

How to return a remote application if something goes wrong

If you have problems after you uninstall the system application (for example, notifications or settings stopped working), do not panic - in most cases, the application can be restored.

🔄 Recovery methods:

⚠️ Warning: If you have removed an application through root-right Debloater and it is not restored by standard methods, you may need to completely flash the device.

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Unpack the archive and run through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.
3. After the firmware, reset settings (Wipe Data in TWRP or through Settings → Reset).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing branded Xiaomi apps